Icon of the Savior Not Made with Hands

Celebration: March 13
The origin of the mysterious icon, known as the Devpeteru icon, remains an inhabitant of mystery. According to legend, this iconostasis was originally a small cell icon associated with the name of St. Pitirim, Tambov wonderworker, whose memory is revered on August 10 in the new style. Special respect for this icon began after the miracle that occurred in 1833. The story of this icon began with the dream of a woman whose husband was unjustly sentenced to prison. In a dream, an unknown elder appeared to her, who ordered her to find the cell icon of St. Pitirim (or the icon of the Mother of God of Devpeteru) in the cathedral and hold a prayer service in front of it. The woman listened to the instruction and held a prayer service in front of the icon. Surprisingly, her husband was soon released from prison. Currently, the list of this icon is kept in the Tambov Cathedral, to the left of the relics of St. Pitirim. The icon itself is periodically brought out for worship to the faithful during important church holidays, and it is considered miraculous. It depicts the Mother of God affectionately embracing the Infant Jesus, and belongs to the iconographic type “Emotion”. There are speculations about the origin of the name “Devpeterovskaya” for this icon. Some argue that the name could have originated from a mistaken reading of the inscription on the Dnieper Icon of the Mother of God, when its list was created from the Devpeteru image. Others believe that the name may have originated from an incorrect historical connection. However, the Devpeteru icon remains a witness of faith and miracles, inspiring hope and inspiring believers with its story.